Folding machine



NOV. 3, 1942-v J. R. OLIVER FOLDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 1

. 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet l Nov; 3, 1942.

J. R. oLlvER FOLDING M'ACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 1, A1941 Nov..3, 1942. J. R. OLIVER 2,300,462

' FOLDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 1, 1941 l 3 Sheets-Sheets Patented Nov. 3,1942 r W orme FOLDING MACHINE John R. Oliver,

Beverly, Mass., assignor to United IShoe Machinery Corporation,

Flemington, N. J.,

a corporation of New Jersey Application August 1, 1941,` Serial N o.404,958

19 Claims.

This invention relates to folding machines and more particularly tomachines for folding the margins of liexible sheet material.

An object of this invention is to provide a folding machine embodyingimproved means forv pressing the partially folded margin of a work4piece. To this end, and as a feature of the invention, the machine isprovided with a rotatable hammer for pressing the folded margin of theWork, the hammer being in the form of a roll,

which is rotated about an aXis substantially n ormal to the direction offeed of the Work, the Work-engaging surface of the hammer traveling inthe direction of feed of the work to assist in the feeding operation.

In accordance with another feature of the in-y vention, the margin ofthe work is upturned by l a folding member, and the hammer is oscillatedto and from the Work, the hammer being arranged, during its movementtowardthe work, to exert an inwiping action on the upturned margin,thereby to complete the folding Yof the margin prior to the pressingthereof. To this end, the hammer is rotated during its movement towardthe work and the work-engaging surface of the hammer is provided withspiral grooves which are arranged to exert an inward force on theupturned margin of the Work as the margin is folded back upon the bodyof the work.

The margin of the Work is folded by a continuously operating ring-shapedfolder of the type illustrated and described in application Serial No.356,968, filed September 16, 1940, in my name, the work-engaging surface0f the folder having grooves therein which are arranged to assist in`the feeding of the work. In accordance with a further feature of myinvention, the folder is provided with internal gear teeth which arearranged for engagement with a driven gear thereby to provide a positivedriving means for the folder. In accordance with a still further featureofthe invention, the folder and the gear by which driven are providedwith cooperating surfaces arranged to prevent excess pressure betweenthe folder and the gear so as to eliminate the possibility of jamming ofthe teeth between these members.

These and other features now be described in drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation partly in section of one form of machineillustrating this invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation illustrating the ringshaped folder and itsdriving means;

of the invention will detail and illustrated in the 4screws I6 is a head`ment of a pinion 30 (Fig. `3)'With tation of a Work piece to sideof thecreaser foot Fig. 3 is an end elevation, partly in section, illustratingthe relative locations of the various Work-engaging members;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section on a large scale illustrating thestructure of the, folder;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken on the line V-V of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a section through the folder on a larger scale than Fig. 5 andmeans;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section mer and its mounting;

Fig.` 8 is an end elevation of the hammer and the casing in which it ismounted; and

Fig, 9 is a section on the line IX-IX of Fig. 8 but on a larger scale.

The machine is illustrated in Fig. 1 as comprising a base I9 adapted tobe mounted on a bench or other suitable support, the base having anoverhanging arm I2 terminating in a detachable end portion I4. Securedto the base Ivfby I8 having an arm 20 extending above the arm I2 of thebase. The end I 4 of the base I 0 is secured by a nut 22 to a stud 24secured in the outer end of the arm I2 by a binding screw 26. A feedroll 28 is journaled on a portion of the stud 24 and is rotated byengageinternal gear teeth 32 of the feed roll. The pinion 30 is mountedat the outer end of a drive shaft 34 journaled in an inwardly extendingboss 36 in the base l0. To the outer end of the drive shaft 34 is pinneda pulley 38 connected by a belt 40 to any suitable driving means.

A piece of work W having a skived edge is held in engagement with thefeed roll 28 by a creaser illustrating its driving illustrating thehamfreely rotatable Work-engaging roll 44. The upper en d of the creaserfoot 42 terminates in a shank 46 vertically movable in a housing 48secured to the forward end 52 to the arm 20. A sprmg 54 set inacounterbore in the shank 46 acts between the shank and the housing 48to urge the creaser foot'down- Wardly into engagement With the Work.This housing 48,

The margin of the Work is folded against the by a ring-'shapedfoldvapplication referred to Ygear 88 on a shaft ing member 60. Thisfolder is mounted between pairs of rolls 62, 64 (Fig. 2) mounted on laplate 66 adjustably secured in a depending wall of the overhanging arm20. The plate 66 is maintained in the desired position of adjustment byscrews 68 and 10 pasisng into the plate through slots in the arm 20.Adjustment of the plate is effected by an adjusting screw 1| supportedby a bracket 13 secured to the arm 20, the screw being threaded into aboss 15 on the plate 66 extending through a slot in the arm. The rolls64 are mounted on the outer ends of bell crank levers 12 pivoted at 14to the plate 65, the inner ends of the bell crank levers being urgeddownwardly by springs 16 secured to the plate 68 at 16. By thisarrangement the rolls 64 maintain the folder in engagement with therolls 62. The machine as described thus far is similar in constructionto that of my copending above, to which reference is made for a morecomplete disclosure.

The folder of my improved machine is provided with internal gear teeth80 (Figs. 4 and 6) which mesh with a pinion 82 mounted on a stud 84 inthe arm |2 (Fig. 5). Secured to the pinion 82 is a gear 86 in drivingengagement with a 90 journaled in the arm |2. is also carried by theshaft a worm 94 on the drive shaft A worm gear 92 and is driven by y34.By this construction the pinion 82 and the folder 60 are continuouslyand positively rotated during the operation of the machine. The folderis maintained in engagement with the pinion 82 by a roll 96 on the shaft90, this roll engaging the outer surface of the folder. In order thatthe folder cannot be pressed against the pinion 62 with sulcient forceto cause jamming of the teeth, the teeth on the folder are flanked bysmooth inwardly extending flanges |00 (Figs. 4 and 6), the internaldiameters of which are less than that of the toothed portion of thefolder. These portions |00 engage smooth portions |02 at opposite sidesof the teeth on the pinion 82 and engagement of the portions |00 of thefolder with the portions |02 on the pinion prevents eX- cessive pressurebetween the teeth of the folder and those on the pinion. Thework-engaging surface of the folder is formed with spirally arrangedgrooves |03, as indicated' clearly in Fig. 4, to assist in feeding thework upon engagement of the folder with the margin thereof. The surfaceof the roll 96 is formed with grooves arranged to receive the groovedwork-engaging surface of the folder, as shown in Fig. 6.

As thus far described the work is continuously fed by the feed roll 28and is held against the feed roll by the creaser foot 42 which isspringpressed downwardly. The rotary folding member 60 is constantlydriven in timed relation to the feed roll by the drive shaft 34 in aclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, to turn up the margin |05 ofthe work-piece W against the adjacent surface of the creaser foot whichthus acts to determine the line of fold. By so driving the foldingmember in timed relation to the feed roll, the rate of advance of thegrooves on the folding member may be maintained equal to the rate offeed of the work so that no drag is imposed on the feeding movement ofthe work by the folding member.

The upturned margin |05 of the work is pressed against the body of thework by a hammer |04 which is rapidly oscillated toward and away fromthe work and is constantly rotated in such a direction that when it isin pressing engagement with the work it assists the roll 28 in feedingthe work. The hammer |04 is of frusto-conical shape and is mounted onthe lower end of a shaft |06 which extends substantially normal to thedirection of feed of the work, and the upper end of this shaft isjournaled in a yoke |38 which is in turn pivoted on a shaft ||0 mountedin the head I8 of the machine. The shaft H0 carries a gear |l2 whichmeshes with a gear ||4 pinned to the drive shaft 34. The gear ||2 isalso in engagement with a gear ||6 secured to the hammer shaft |06within the yoke |08. Rotation of the drive shaft 34 thereby acts throughthe gears ||4, ||2 and H6 to rotate the hammer shaft |06 in timedrelation to the rotation of the feed roll 28 and the folder 80. Themounting of the hammer shaft |06 in the yoke |08 permits oscillation ofthis yoke about the shaft |0 thereby to permit movement of the hammertoward and from the work.

The lower end of the hammer shaft |06 is mounted in a casing |20 (Fig.9) composed of casing members |22 and |24 secured together by screws|26. Formed between the casing members |22 and |24 is a raceway |28(Fig. 8) adapted to receive a plurality of antifriction rolls |30 toreceive the thrust of the hammerA as it is forced against the work topress the folded margin. Extending upwardly from the casing |20 is ashank |32 slidably received in a sleeve |34 attached to a housing |40formed on the outer end of the arm 20 of the head I8. Reciprocation ofthe shank |32 within the sleeve |34 is caused by a lever |35 (Fig. 1)pivoted at |38 within the housing |40. The forward end of the lever |36is connected by a link |42 to a rod |44 the lower end of which isreceived (Fig. 7) in a counterbore in the shank |32 of the hammer casing|20. A spring |46 is seated within the counterbore in the shank |32 andyieldingly transmits downward motion of the rod |44 to the hammer |04. Apin |48 mounted in the rod |44 extends through a slot |50 in the shank|32 thereby to limit relative movements of these members.

The lever |38 is connected by a crank |52 (Fig. l) and an eccentric |54to a shaft |56 journaled within the housing |40. This shaft |56 carriesa gear |60 (Fig. 3) in driving engagement with a gear |62 (Fig. 1) atthe forward end of a shaft |34 journaled in a boss |66 extendinginwardly from the housing |40. The rearward end of the shaft |64 ismounted in a yoke |68 between the arms of which is mounted a gear |10which receives power from a gear |12 (Fig. 3) mounted on the shaft IIO.Thus the shaft |64 is continuously rotated and acts through the shaft|56, the eccentric |54 and the crank |52 to rock the lever |36 therebyto oscillate the lower end of the shaft |06 carrying the hammer towardand from the work and intermittently to press the upturned margin |05the oil leaking around the rod |44 a packing |18 is provided in thehousing |40 around the rod.

During the motion Aof the hammer toward the work it is desirable thatthe hammer exert an inwiping action-on the upturned margin thereby toassist the folder E0 to produce a tight uniform fold along the margin ofthe work. To produce this action between the hammer and the upturnedmargin of the work the hammer is provided with spiral grooves |80 (Fig.9) which cooperate with the edge of the work as the hammer rotates inthe direction of the arrow to bend the margin of the work inwardly ofthe edge during the downward movement of the hammer. This action of thehammer insures a uniform width of fold regardless of the curvature ofthe edge of the work. After the hammer has moved downwardly to theextent of its movement to press the folded margin against the body ofthe work, its rotation helps to feed the work and does not interferewith or retard the continuous feed of the work by the feed roll 28.

In the operation of the machine a piece of work W, the margin of whichhas preferably been previously skived as shown in Figs. 2 and 9. ispresented to the machine, the creaser foot being lifted at this time bydownward movement of the treadle rod 59 to permit insertion of the workbetween the feed roll and the creaser foot. The work is fedcontinuously, during which time the ring-shaped folder 66 is rotated tofold the margin of the work against the adjacent surface of the creaserfoot #32. The workengaging surface of the folder does not impede 9 thefeeding movement of lthe work, inasmuch as the work-engaging surface isprovided with spiral grooves |03 so arranged as to exert a component offorce in the direction of feed. During this continual feeding andfolding of the work the hammer |04 is oscillated rapidly toward and fromthe folded margin to press the fold and to assist in feeding the workduring the time that the hammer is in engagement with the work.

During downward movement of the hammer to-` ward the work the grooves inthe surface of the rotating hammer act upon the folded margin to wipe itinwardly, thereby insuring a uniform width of fold. Inasmuch as thehammer is rotated continually it is possible to utilize an oscillatinghammer without interrupting the feeding operation while also insuringthat the folded margin will be effectively pressed against the body ofthe work.

Having thus described my invention, what I' claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a folding machine, means for progressively folding the margin of awork-piece, foldpressing means comprising a rotatable hammer, means forrotating said hammer, and means for simultaneously oscillating saidhammer toward and away from the work.

2. In a folding machine, means for progressively folding the margin of awork-piece, foldpressing means comprising a rotatable hammer having agrooved periphery acting to wipe the folded margin of the work-pieceinwardly, means for rotating said hammer and means for simultaneouslyoscillating said hammer toward and away from the work intermittently topress the folded margin.

3. In a folding machine, means for continuously feeding a work-piece,means for continufor continuously rotating said hammer, and

means for simultaneously oscillating said ham.-

mer toward and away from the work.

4. In a folding machine, `means for feeding a workpiece, means forcontinuously folding a margin of the workpiece, a fold pressercomprising a rotatable hammer the work-engaging surface of which isprovided with spiral grooves, and means for rotating the hammer in adirection to assist in the feed of the work.

5.' In a folding machine, a work support, means for feeding a work-pieceover the work support, means for folding the margin of the work-piece, ahammer rotatable about an axis substantially normal to the line of feed,and means for rotating said hammer so that its work-engaging surfacemoves in the direction of feed of the work.

6. In a folding machine, a work support means for feeding a work-pieceover the work support, means for folding the margin of the work-piece asit is being fed, a rotatable hammer having a grcoved periphery, meansfor oscillating the hammer toward and away from the work, and means forrotating said hammer, the grooves in the periphery of the hammer beingarranged to wipe the margin of the work-piece inwardly during themovement of the hammer toward the work.

7. In a folding machine, a work support, means for feeding a work-pieceover the work support, means for folding the margin of the work, ahammer for pressing the folded margin of the work, means for mountingsaid hammer for rotation about an axis substantially normal to thedirection of feed of the work, and means for oscillating said hammertoward and away from the work. support.

8. In a folding machine, a work support, means for feeding a work-pieceover said worksupport,`

means for folding the margin of the work, a

. conically shaped hammer the side of which conously folding a margin ofthe work-piece, a fold stitutes a work-engaging surface having helicallyarranged grooves therein, means for rotating said hammer in such adirection that the grooves in the surface thereof exert an inward wipingaction on the margin of the work, and means for simultaneouslyoscillating said hammer toward and away from the work.

9. In a folding machine, a work support, means,

for feeding a work-piece thereover, means for folding the margin of thework-piece, a hammer arranged to press the folded margin against thework, means for oscillating Said hammer toward and away from the worksupport, and means for continuously rotating said hammer in a directionto assist in the feed of the work when in pressing engagement therewith.

10. In av folding machine, a work support, means for feedinga work-piecethereover, a continuously acting folding member having a workengagingsurface provided with grooves arranged to assist in feeding the workoperation, a hammer arranged to press the folded margin of the work,means for oscillating said hammer toward and away from the work support,and means for continuously rotating said hammer in a direction to assistin feeding the work when in pressingv engagement therewith, thework-engaging surface of the hammer being provided with grooves arrangedupon engagement of the hammer with the folded margin of the work to wipethe margin inwardly.

11. In a folding machine, a work support,

means for feeding a work-piece thereover. a onepresser comprising avrotatable hammer, .means during the folding over the work support, meanspiece, ringshaped folding member having a substantially continuous,peripheral work-engaging surface arranged continuously to fold themargin of the Work during the feeding thereof, said folding member beingprovided with internal gear teeth, and a driven gear cooperating withsaid gear teeth positively to rotate said folding member.

12. In a folding machine, a work support, means for feeding a Work-piecethereover, a ringshaped folding member arranged continuously to fold themargin of the work during the folding operation, said folding memberbeing provided with internal gear teeth, a driven gear cooperating withsaid gear teeth positively to rotate said folding member, means forholding said folding member against said gear, said gear having smoothcylindrical portions flanking the teeth thereon, and inwardly extendingflanges on said folding member anking the teeth thereon and arranged forengagement with the smooth cylindrical portions of the gear thereby toprevent excessive pressure between the teeth on said gear and the teethon said folding member.

13. In a folding machine, a Work support, means for continuously feedinga work-piece over the support, a ring-shaped folder cooperating with themargin of the work-piece continuously to fold it during the feeding ofthe work, the work-engaging surface of said folder having helicallyarranged grooves therein, the internal surface of said folder beingprovided with gear teeth, a driven gear engaging said gear teeth torotate the folder, and means for rotating said gear in such a directionwork-engaging surface of the folder cooperate with the feeding means tofeed the work,

14. In a folding machine, a work support, means for feeding a work-piecethereover, means for folding the margin of the work-piece during thefeeding operation, a fold presser rotatable about an axis substantiallynormal to the line of feed, means for rotating said fold presser, andmeans for oscillating said fold presser toward and away from the work,said last-named means inl" cluding a yielding member to preventexcessive pressure between the fold presser and the work.

15. In a folding machine, a work support, means for continuously feedinga work-piece for folding the margin of the work piece, a hammerrotatable about an axis substantially normal to the line of feed, thework-engaging surface of said hammer having spirally arranged groovestherein, means for oscillating said hammer toward and from the work, andmeans for continuously rotating said hammer in such a direction that thegrooves exert an inward wiping action on the margin of the Work.

16. In a folding machine, a work support, means for feeding a work-piecethereover, means for folding the margin of the Work-piece, a

that the grooves in the:

grooved roller reciprocable toward and from the Work support forpressing the folded margin, a rotatable shaft supporting said roller,said shaft extending substantially normal to the line of feed, a driveshaft geared to said first-named shaft at a point remote from theroller, means for mounting said flrst-named shaft for oscillation aboutthe drive shaft, and means for oscillating said first named shaft duringthe rotation of the roller thereby intermittently to move said rollerinto and out of pressing engagement with the work.

17. In a folding machine, a work support, means for feeding a work-piecethereover, means for folding the margin of the work-piece, a greovedroller reciprocable toward and from the work support for pressing thefolded margin, a rotatable shaft supporting said roller, said shaftextending substantially normal to the line of feed, a drive shaft gearedto said first-named shaft at a point remote from the roller, meansmounting said first-named shaft for oscillation about the drive shaft,and means for oscillating said firstnamed shaft during the rotation ofthe roller thereby intermittently to move said roller into and out ofpressing engagement with the work, said oscillating means including ayielding member arranged to prevent excessive pressure between theroller and the work during a pressing movement of the roller.

18. In a folding machine, a work support, means for feeding a work-piecethereover, means for folding the margin of the work-piece, a rotatablehammer for pressing the folded margin of the work-piece, a rotatableshaft on which said hammer is mounted, a housing surrounding the outerend of said shaft and the upper side of the hammer, a raceway in saidhousing passing over the upper surface of the hammer, and a plurality ofrollers in said raceway forming an antifriction bearing surface forreceiving the thrust on said hammer.

19. In a folding machine, a Work support, means for feeding a work-piecethereover, means for folding the margin of the work-piece, a rotatablehammer for pressing the folded margin of the work-piece, a rotatableshaft on which said hammer is mounted, a housing surrounding the outerend of said shaft and the upper side of the hammer, a raceway in saidhousing passing over the upper surface of the hammer, a plurality ofrollers in said raceway forming an antifriction bearing surface forreceiving the thrust on said hammer, means for mounting said housing forreciprocation toward and away from the work support to move the hammertoward and away from the work, a reciprocable member, and a springtransmitting the motion of said member through the housing to the hammerthereby yieldingly to move the hammer periodically into engagement withthe work.

JOHN R. OLIVER.

